100+ turn up for Bantu trials

Bukhosi Mangena Sports Correspondent ZIFA Southern Region Division One side Bantu Rovers held pre-season trials over the weekend at Crescent Sports Club in a bid to strengthen their respective age-group squads in preparation for the 2016 season. The two-day trials on Saturday and yesterday were held for the Under-14s, Under-16s and Under-18s, and more than 100 youngsters turned up, but only 60 caught the eye of the technical staff led by newly appointed juniors’ recruitment coordinator Dumaza Dube.

Bantu Rovers’ general manager Wilbert Sibanda said he was impressed with the huge turnout and indicated that they were already working on the contracts of the 60 successful players.

He also said they would hold another trial session next weekend in one of the city’s high density suburbs to cater for aspiring players that couldn’t make it to Crescent Sports Club.

“We held one of our most successful trials in a long time and we were very impressed with the turnout and how things went. We had impressive young players and we managed to choose a total of 60 players whom we’re engaging to sign contracts,” said Sibanda.

“However, this isn’t the end of the road for those who had a bad day this weekend as we’ll hold another series of trials next weekend targeting the high density suburbs and they can still come and try their luck.”

The club selected 20 players each in the Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18 categories. The Under-16s and Under-18s will also be given an opportunity to fight for places in the seniors’ first team.

The trials largely targeted technically and academically gifted players to kickstart the club’s project of offering its players local and international scholarships.

The first team starts its pre-season training this week and has acquired the services of six new players to strengthen their side in a bid to return to the Premiership.